The Lift is On (A Build Thread of Sorts)

xjarchaeologist · 04-24-2009, 03:42 PM

So I FINALLY finished my lift (I say finally, because there were tons of little things that kept on going wrong). I used RE 1334 1.75" spacers up front, with OME HD leaf packs in the back. I hat to remove the trailer hitch to get the shackle bolts out, and I had my rear passenger tire on so tight (stupid NTB people) that it wouldn't come off (yes, I broke 3 ratchets and lord knows how many adapters and extensions). So I did this lift with ONE TIRE ON! Yeah, I'm pretty proud. No real problems, except I need new shocks (it rides pretty rough right now, and I had to really pressure the rears on). I'm thinkin OME to match the springs, and I really like they're stuff. There's a SLIGHT vibe at the 20 - 30 mph range but once you're above that, no real problems. It hard to tell with the shocks maxed out and no travel. But enough about that, here are some pics! (Excuse the stock tires, I'm getting my 31x10.50 Dunlop Mud Rover's put on in a minute. About to go to the tire shop. Got them on Craiglist for $250!)

My helper...who wouldn't shut up the whole 3 days...

I didn't order new bushings, mainly because I was WAY over budget, so I went the cheap way out. No real difference...

As you can see, the old springs weren't THAT flat, but they aren't NEARLY as nice as OME...

94xjstud · 04-24-2009, 03:49 PM

The pics aren't working for me

**xjfever** · 04-24-2009, 03:49 PM

Looking good.

justanotherjpr · 04-24-2009, 03:50 PM

When you say you had to pressure the rear shocks on, do you mean they were not long enough? That would cause a terrible ride and be pretty hard on the upper shock mounts.. Also pics no workie as-is. You're linked to your album as an image. You have to get the image's URL by right-clicking and 'Copy image URL' (in Google Chrome) or right click and choose 'Properties' then copy the 'address'.

Edit: Nice looking Cherokee!
Edit again: Removed pics, OP figured it out.

You should try photobucket. The host you have now sucks.

justanotherjpr · 04-24-2009, 03:55 PM

Did you re-use the stock leaf spring bushings?

xjarchaeologist · 04-24-2009, 03:58 PM

Pics are fixed. Sorry guys. Google was a no go, so I switched to photobucket. Yeah, I'm ordering new shocks. I had to have someone sit on the back to get the shocks, which is a bad sign, but it's what I had. New ones should be in Monday.

xjarchaeologist · 04-24-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justanotherjpr

Did you re-use the stock leaf spring bushings?

Yeah. It was kind of a pain, but all in all, it worked out, and I saved about $80

xjarchaeologist · 04-24-2009, 08:18 PM

OK, big question. When I'm driving down the road, I've got a loud semi-vibrating noise coming from the rear. It's louder than the engine, but there's no real physical vibration (besides the lack of good shocks, which should be here Monday). The axle was flopping all over when I was putting the lift on. Could something not be lined up right, or is this a shock issue, or even a SY issue? I cant' tell. I just want to be sure the axle is flopping around...

justanotherjpr · 04-25-2009, 02:00 PM

Could be a bad U joint, or those (probably) worn out stock leaf spring bushings.

xjarchaeologist · 04-26-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justanotherjpr

Could be a bad U joint, or those (probably) worn out stock leaf spring bushings.

DS u-joint? The bushings were new when I bought the car. The dealership had them replaced because the old ones were shot, and I've only had the car for about 2 years, so I think they're OK. I'm gonna put on new shocks for the rear and see if that solves anything. The M/Ts are on as well...pics soon...I think it looks AWESOME!

xjarchaeologist · 04-26-2009, 06:52 PM

So here are pics with the M/Ts on. New shocks on the back. It rides SO much better now...

**jeepkid03** · 04-26-2009, 07:36 PM

XJ looks sweet man. I love the color and those rims off an older cherokee look really nice on yours. Really like the looks of it

xjarchaeologist · 04-26-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepkid03

XJ looks sweet man. I love the color and those rims off an older cherokee look really nice on yours. Really like the looks of it

Thanks! Those are off my '89. I was about to put the stock ecco's back on, but I really like these. I think up coming is new front shocks (I just put some cheap-o Monroe's on today), front winch bumper (I really like the Detour's one) and a new rear bumper...

**jeepkid03** · 04-26-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xjarchaeologist

Thanks! Those are off my '89. I was about to put the stock ecco's back on, but I really like these. I think up coming is new front shocks (I just put some cheap-o Monroe's on today), front winch bumper (I really like the Detour's one) and a new rear bumper...

nice! haha my friend has an '89 XJ with ecco's on it lol. Just the opposite. Did you solve your vibration issue?

xjarchaeologist · 04-26-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepkid03

nice! haha my friend has an '89 XJ with ecco's on it lol. Just the opposite. Did you solve your vibration issue?

It's hard to tell with those M/Ts. It's still really loud, and I'm gonna use Sensatracs on the front tomorrow and see where I stand. It seems better, though...But I'm not sure how much is the tires...